Call for Entries
Publishers based in the Midwest are invited to enter the 30th Annual Midwest Book Awards competition for excellence in books published in 2019. The awards recognize creativity in content and execution, overall book quality, and the book’s unique contribution to its subject area.
Who May Enter
- All entries MUST carry a 2019 copyright and an ISBN. If an entry has a 2020 copyright date, documentation must be provided showing the book was released in 2019. There are no exceptions.
- All entries must have a copyright page that includes publisher’s name and address, copyright notice, and ISBN.
- New editions (including the new ISBN) of previously published books are eligible. Reprints do not qualify.
- Entries must be published by publishers located in the 12-state region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
- A single title may be entered in up to three (3) categories. Only print books may be entered. No eBook or app submissions will be accepted.
Deadline
Deadline for receipt of books and entry fees is December 31, 2019. There are absolutely no exceptions.
Awards & Benefits
- Three (3) finalists are selected in each category. From those, one (1) winner is chosen. Finalists and award winners receive certificates and tickets to the Midwest Book Awards Gala. Winners will also each receive a bronze medallion.
- Both finalists and winners may purchase foil seals for use in marketing efforts and will be featured in the Midwest Book Awards Gala Program, in MiPA press releases, and on the MiPA website.
- Judges’ individual book evaluation sheets will be provided to all entrants after the awards are announced.
- Award will be presented at the Midwest Book Awards Gala in 2020. More details to come.
Judging Criteria
Each entry will be judged by three independent judges. Finalists are determined by totaling the scores from all three judges. The winning entry is the title with the top score. The judges’ decisions are final. Please note: If the entries in a category do not meet the standards for quality as set by the Midwest Book Awards, no award will be given in that category for that year.
Judges will consider the following:
- Content and quality of writing and images
- Overall quality and creativity in book design and production
- Originality and contribution to the subject area
See Judging tab for more information about judging criteria.
Questions: Contact Verlene Birger by email or call 605.366.9894.
Entry Fees Accepted Until December 31, 2019
Click Here for the 2019 Entry Form!
Early Bird Prices (Entries must be postmarked before October 31, 2019): MiPA member: $79 per title (includes first category), $35 for each additional category (maximum of 3 categories) Non-MiPA member: $149 per title (includes first category), $35 for each additional category (maximum of 3 categories) After October 31 (Entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2019): MiPA member: $99 per title (includes first category), $35 for each additional category (maximum of 3 categories) Non-MiPA member: $169 per title (includes first category), $45 for each additional category (maximum of 3 categories) What to Send
- Books: Send four (4) copies of each title (one for each of the three judges and one for display) for the first category in which the title is entered. If the same title is entered in additional categories, send three (3) more copies (for the three judges) for EACH additional category. No books or entries will be returned.
- Entry Form: Send a copy of the completed entry form for each title. Entry forms may be photocopied or may be printed from the MiPA website, www.MiPA.org. Please do not use staples, tape, or glue.
- Fees: Entry fees must accompany your submission. Include your check or a copy of your PayPal receipt with your entry. Entry fees are non-refundable. Make checks payable to MiPA.
Where to Send All books and entry fees must be POSTMARKED by December 31, 2019. You will receive an email confirming receipt of your submissions. Ship books, entry form, and entry fees in the same package to: Midwest Book Awards Attn: Jennifer Baum, 29488 Woodward, Suite 426, Royal Oak, MI 48073/ Questions: email Jennifer Baum at bookawards@mipa.org.
Numerical scores decide the finalists and winners. Comments are purely for the benefit of the publisher. One of the goals of MIPA is to help publishers produce quality books and learn best practices in the industry. We encourage you to look over the judging information listed below to get an idea of the areas on which your entry will be evaluated.
Subject Categories
The editorial criteria used for all subject category entries (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s/young adult) include the following questions:
Writing: Is the writing style engaging and the voice consistent? How well does the text follow generally accepted principles of good writing for the genre (i.e., clear sentence structure, use of active voice, strong vocabulary)?
Mechanics/Organization: Rate the mechanical correctness of the copy regarding grammar, spelling, punctuation. Is the content well organized and does it flow easily to allow comprehension and maintain interest (pace) by the intended reader audience?
Clarity/Storytelling: For fiction, is the plot engaging and original? Are characters appropriately developed? For nonfiction, is the information well presented and organized clearly? Is the topic compelling? For children’s books, is the story interesting and is the writing appropriate for the age level?
Production: Rate the production quality of the book (formatting, consistency in design, printing quality).
Overall Reaction: Rate your overall impression of the content and quality of the book.
Design Categories
The design criteria used for evaluating entries in cover design, interior design, illustration—graphic, and total book design include the following questions. These questions are fine-tuned for the specific category. For example, cover design judges will only receive questions pertaining to cover design.
Cover Appearance: Does the total cover design create interest—do you want to pick up the book and examine it more closely? Does the cover fit the genre? Are the photographs or illustrations appropriate, of good quality, and reproduced well? Does the choice of color on the cover stimulate interest and fit with the subject?
Cover Layout: Is the typeface attractive, readable, and appropriate for the subject matter? Does the organization of cover elements create a coherent look? Are front and spine copy legible in all formats (i.e., bookstore shelves and online thumbnails)?
Interior Appearance: Is the book layout (i.e., the organization of heads, subheads, indents, and breaks in copy) consistent and does it facilitate reading? Are font styles and typographic composition easy to read and complementary to each other?
Interior Layout: Are margins well spaced? Do the letter, line, and word spacing create a pleasing reading experience? Is the printing well done throughout and does the paper stock fit the book’s design? If there are illustrations or photographs in the interior, are they appropriate, of good quality, and reproduced well?
Overall Reaction: Rate your overall impression of the design of the book.
The publisher selects one or more categories in which to enter each book. A single title may be entered in up to three (3) categories. Only print books may be entered. No eBook or app submissions will be accepted.
Subject Categories
- Arts/Photography/Coffee Table Books: Books about the graphic and performing arts, architecture, and photography. Coffee table books created for display that meld exemplary text, design, and artwork.
- Autobiography/Memoir: Nonfiction and creative nonfiction about the author.
- Biography: Nonfiction books about a current or historical figure (not the author).
- Business: Business-related literature including commerce, career, computers, technology.
- Children’s Fiction: Fiction books aimed at all reading levels to age twelve.
- Children’s Nonfiction: Nonfiction books aimed at all reading levels to age twelve.
- Children’s Picture Books: Books for children with a substantial amount of artwork.
- Young Adult Fiction: Fiction, whether or not genre specific, aimed at the teen market.
- Young Adult Nonfiction: Nonfiction, regardless of subject matter, aimed at the teen market.
- Cookbooks/Crafts/Hobbies: Books on all cooking-related topics, crafts, and hobbies aimed at adults.
- Education/Learning: Books aimed at adults on topics of education, including homeschooling.
- Family/Parenting: Books aimed at adults on all aspects of family life, including parenting help, family dynamics, and multigeneration families.
- Fiction — Fantasy/SciFi/Horror/Paranormal: Genre fiction with a fantasy, science fiction, horror, or paranormal theme.
- Fiction — Literary/Contemporary/Historical: Fiction that focuses on character development, plot depth, and writing style as well as genre fiction with a historical theme and historical setting.
- Fiction — Mystery/Thriller: Genre fiction with a suspense or mystery theme.
- Fiction — Romance: Genre fiction with a romance theme.
- Fiction — Short Story/Anthology: Collections of fiction by one or by multiple authors.
- Health: Nonfiction books aimed at adults with topics related to health and healing, including physical and mental health, addiction, and alternative medicine.
- History — General: Nonfiction books with subjects of a historical nature.
- History — Regional: Nonfiction books with subjects of a historical nature, which focus on the Midwest region
- Humor: Fiction and nonfiction books whose primary focus is humor.
- Inspiration: Nonfiction books focused on personal development and improvement.
- Nature: Nonfiction books relating to nature, ecology, and environment. May include essays on these topics.
- Poetry—General: Poetic works, whether by one author or an anthology.
- Poetry—Regional: Poetic works, whether by one author or an anthology, with a regional focus.
- Poetry—Debut: Poetic works, whether by one author or an anthology, by a debut author.
- Recreation/Sports/Travel: Nonfiction books with a sports, recreation, or travel theme, including travel guides and travel essays.
- Religion/Philosophy: Nonfiction books encompassing all religions — Eastern, Western, and New Age — as well as philosophy.
- Social Science/Political Science/Culture: Nonfiction books aimed at adults with an emphasis on the social sciences, political issues, current events, and cultural issues such as diversity, gender, sexuality, and aging.
Design Categories
- Cover Design: Covers that are compelling, effective, and fit the topic and/or genre.
- Interior Design: Overall interior book design and production that excels in quality.
- Illustration — Graphic: Books with extensive interior artwork, not including photography. Usually entries in this category are children’s picture books.
- Total Book Design: Total book design, including interior layout and cover design.
Questions? Midwest Book Awards Chair Verlene Birger can answer your questions and provide guidance if you are not sure how to choose the specific categories that could be appropriate for your book in the Midwest Book Awards program. Contact Verlene Birger by email or call 605-366-9894.
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WINNERS OF THE 29TH ANNUAL
MIDWEST BOOK AWARDS ANNOUNCED SAINT PAUL, MN, MAY 4, 2019: The Midwest Independent Publishing Association (MiPA) has announced the winners for the 29th Annual Midwest Book Awards. The awards recognize quality in independent publishing in the Midwest. All books were copyrighted in 2018 and entered by publishers from MiPA’s 12-state Midwestern region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin). Winners were announced on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Midwest Book Awards Gala in Saint Paul. Congratulations to the winners and finalists! Winners are in BOLD. Arts/Photography/Coffee Table Chicago Eternal by Larry Broutman (Lake Claremont Press: A Chicago Joint) St Croix & Namekagon Rivers – the Enduring Gift by Craig Blacklock and Walter F. Mondale (Blacklock Photography Galleries) Symbol of Divine Light by Nicholas Stone (World Wisdom) Autobiography/Memoir Buoyancy: A Memoir by Jeannie L Piekos (JLP Publishing) Enchanted: Reflections from a Joyfully Green and Frugally Rich Life by Holly Jorgensen (Northern Holly Creations, LLC) I Will Not Break: A Memoir by Judith Mattison (New Sun Press) Biography Building the Modern World: Albert Kahn in Detroit by Michael H Hodges (Wayne State University Press) Don Fraser: Minnesota’s Quiet Crusader by Iric Nathanson (Nodin Press) Forty Gavels: The Life of Reuben Soderstrom and the Illinois AFL-CIO by Carl Soderstrom, Reuben Soderstrom, Chris Stevens, and Andrew Burt (CWS Publishing) Business Choosing Leadership: A Workbook by Linda Ginzel (Agate Publishing – B2 Imprint) Green Card Entrepreneur Voices: How-To Business Stories from Minnesota Immigrants Eds. Tea Rozman Clark, Rachel Mueller (Green Card Voices) Children’s Fiction Claire’s Hair by Mary Bleckwehl (Beaver’s Pond Press, Inc) My Sister Steals My Toys by Steve Hanson (Glow Word Books) Sammy’s Day at the Fair: The Digestive System featuring Gut Feelings and Reactions by Jerome Tiller (ArtWrite Productions) Children’s Nonfiction The Hill That Grew – 60th Anniversary Edition by Gerald E Naftaly, Esther K Meeks (Gerald E Naftaly) Sammy’s Day at the Fair: The Digestive System featuring Gut Feelings and Reactions by Jerome Tiller (ArtWrite Productions) Children’s Picture Books A Young Girl’s Dream by Carla Anne Arneson (Raven Productions, Inc) I Know You’re Here by Krista Betcher (Beaver’s Pond Press, Inc) Walter the Wily Walleye by Bob Allen (Fishing Quest Publishing) Cookbooks/Crafts/Hobbies Baking with Vegetables: From the Garden to the Oven by Rose Deneen (Henschelhaus Publishing, Inc) Jazzy Vegetarian’s Deliciously Vegan by Laura Theodore (Scribe Publishing Company) The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes From Around the Globe Ed. Jacqueline Chio-Lauri (Agate Publishing – Surrey Books) Cover Design Cosmic Trip: Rock Concerts at the Mpls Labor Temple 1969-1970 by Christian A Peterson (Smart Set) The Darkside of the Sun by Michael B. Dardis (Beaver’s Pond Press, Inc) Somos Latinas by Eloisa Gomez, Andrea-Teresa Arenas (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) Education/Learning Loose Parts 3: Inspiring Culturally Sustainable Environments by Lisa Daly, Miriam Beloglovski (Redleaf Press) Open-Ended Art for Young Children by Tracy Galuski, PhD, Mary Ellen Bardsley, PhD (Redleaf Press) Seasons of My Military Student: Practical Ideas for Parents & Teachers by Amanda Trimilos and Stacy Allsbrook-Huisman (Elva Resa Publishing) StoryMaking: The Maker Movement Approach to Literacy for Early Learners by Michelle Kay Compton, MA, and Robin Chappele Thompson, PhD (Redleaf Press) Family/Parenting Facing Cancer as a Parent by Heather Erickson (Connected to the Vine Publishing) Parenting Through Puberty: Mood Swings, Acne and Growing Pains by Suanne Kowal- Connelly, MD (American Academy of Pediatrics) Fiction – Literary/Contemporary/Historical The Cutter’s Widow by Mary DesJarlais (Calumet Editions) I Am Mrs. Jesse James by Pat Wahler (Amphorae Publishing Group – Blank Slate Imprint) Red Bricks by Anne Muccino (Rocket Science Press – Shipwreckt Books) The Witness Tree by Amy Pendino (Wise Ink Creative Publishing) Fiction – Mystery/Thriller 8 Seconds to Midnight by John Leifer (Earhart Press) Black Fin by Mary Frisbee (North American Review Press) Death Rides the Ferry by Patricia Skalka (University of Wisconsin Press) Under Pain of Mortal Sin by Donald Cozzens (ACTA Publications) Fiction – Romance The I-94 Murders by Frank F. Weber (North Star Press) Fiction – Short-Story/Anthology Head of the Lakes by Anthony Bukoski (Nodin Press) Oranges by Gary Eldon Peter (New Rivers Press) The Winter Bees: Fiction by Jill Kalz (Minneopa Valley Press) Health Big Brother in the Exam Room: The Dangerous Truth About Electronic Health Records by Twila Brase (Beaver’s Pond Press, Inc.) Embracing the Journey: Moving Forward After Brain Injury by Amy Zellmer (Amy Zellmer) Facing Cancer as a Parent by Heather Erickson (Connected to the Vine Publishing) History – General Boker by Neal Punchar and Ricky Ray (Pleasant Publishing) The Misunderstood Mission of Jean Nicolet by Patrick J. Jung (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) Symbol of Divine Light by Nicholas Stone (World Wisdom) History – Regional A People’s History of the Seward Neighborhood Eds: Wendy Epstein, Marilyn Matheny, and Rick Musser (Nodin Press) The Faygo Book by Joe Grimm (Wayne State University Press) Milwaukee: A City Built on Water by John Gouda (Wisconsin Historical Society Press Illustration – Graphic Claire’s Hair by Mary Bleckwehl (Beaver’s Pond Press, Inc) Walter the Wily Walleye by Bob Allen (Fishing Quest Publishing) YAB Helps You Navigate Middle School by Krista Betcher (Beaver’s Pond Press, Inc) Inspiration Getting Undressed: From Paralysis to Purpose by David Cooks (Henschelhaus Publishing, Inc) I am Widow, Hear Me Roar: Confessions of a Surviving Spouse by JoAnn Kuzma Deveny (Fly High Books) We Sit: Paintings by Marley Kaul, Poems by Taiju Geri Wilimek by Marley Kaul and Taiju Geri Wilimek (Mill Studio Press) Interior Design Forty Gavels: The Life of Reuben Soderstrom and the Illinois AFL-CIO by Carl Soderstrom, Reuben Soderstrom, Chris Steven, and Andrew Burt (CWS Publishing) Symbol of Divine Light by Nicholas Stone (World Wisdom) We Sit: Paintings by Marley Kaul, Poems by Taiju Geri Wilimek by Marley Kaul, Taiju Geri Wilimek (Mill Studio Press) Nature Nature-Based Learning for Young Children: Anytime, Anywhere, On Any Budget by Julie Powers and Sheila Williams Ridge (Redleaf Press) St Croix & Namekagon Rivers – the Enduring Gift by Craig Blacklock and Walter F. Mondale (Blacklock Photography Galleries) Wisconsin State Parks by Scott Spoolman (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) Poetry Lord of the Butterflies by Andrea Gibson (Button Poetry) Nothing but the Blood by Laura Apol (Michigan State University Press) Simples by KateLynn Hibbard (Howling Bird Press) Recreation/Sports/Travel Porto: Stories from Portugal’s Historic Bolhao Market by Gabriella Opaz and Sonia Andresson Nolasco (Agate Publishing – Surrey Books) Under the Radar Michigan: The Next 50 by Tom Daldin, Jim Edelman, and Eric Tremonti (Scribe Publishing Company) The Way of Nile C Kinnick, Jr by Mark D. Wilson (Ice Cube Press, LLC) Religion/Philosophy Human Understanding by Robert Brust (Henschelhaus Publishing, Inc) Losing My Reflection by Kim Owen Mazur (Beaver’s Pond Press, Inc) When I Fly with Papa by Dr. Claudia May (Wise Ink Creative Publishing) Social Science/Political Science/Culture Big Brother in the Exam Room: The Dangerous Truth About Electronic Health Records by Twila Brase (Beaver’s Pond Press, Inc.) Hearth: A Global Conversation on Community, Identity, and Place Eds: Susan O’Connor, Annick Smith (Milkweed Editions) Somos Latinas by Eloisa Gomez and Andrea-Teresa Arenas (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) Total Book Design Claire’s Hair by Mary Bleckwehl (Beaver’s Pond Press, Inc) House of the Night Watch by Tara Ballard (New Rivers Press) St Croix & Namekagon Rivers – the Enduring Gift by Craig Blacklock, Walter F. Mondale (Blacklock Photography Galleries) Untamed Mushrooms: From Field to Table by Michael Karns, Dennis Becker, Lisa Golden Schroeder (Minnesota Historical Society Press) Young Adult Fiction Eleven Miles to Oshkosh by Jim Guhl (University of Wisconsin Press) Young Adult Nonfiction Born Criminal: Matilda Joslyn Gage, Radical Suffragist by Angelica Shirley Carpenter (South Dakota Historical Society Press) *Books entered must meet a minimum score to be a Finalist: not every category has a Finalist.
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Dorothy Molstad Receives 2018 Pat Bell Award
Dorothy Molstad’s marketing and public relations talents won accolades at West Publishing and then Waldman House Press, where she got its best-selling PEEF the Christmas Bear book character into a movie and as a parade float. At Voyageur Press (Motorbooks International), the international publicity earned for its Snowflake books resulted in a feature story in Better Homes and Gardens, an appearance on the Martha Stewart Show, and even a US postage stamp.
As a private consultant she instituted the Author on the Rise program for Panera Bread and helped dozens of authors individually with signings, book tours, and radio and TV appearances. She taught media-training skills, marketing and PR techniques nationally and as a founding partner of Book Architects helped even more authors with their manuscripts and ideas on how to market their books.
She was on the board and president of Minnesota Book Publishers Roundtable and then on the board for many years and president of Midwest Independent Publishing Association (MiPA). In retirement, her volunteerism continues as chair of the Maplewood Parks and Rec Commission and visiting women’s shelters with her dog, Blue Velvet. She’s twice been named Volunteer of the Year by the Let’s Go Fishing program, which brings “nature’s healing and well-being to seniors, veterans, and the disabled.”
About the Pat Bell Award
In 2010, MiPA awarded the first Pat Bell Award in honor of a woman who, for many years, was the rock of the organization and a long-time board member. On the phone, by email, or during meetings, Pat Bell patiently answered the many questions posed by MiPA members and others curious about publishing. Pat Bell embraced the Internet early on, and soon her mentorship extended nationwide through chat rooms and user lists. Publishers Marketing Association (PMA) — now IBPA, Independent Book Publishers Association, a national organization of independent publishers—recognized her expertise. She was asked to serve on its board and became a major national advocate for independent publishers.
Past winners of the Pat Bell Award include:
- 2010: Sybil Smith, leader in the development of Midwest Independent Publishers Association and Publisher, Smith House Press
- 2011: Julie Arthur, longtime buyer for Barnes and Noble and advocate for Midwest writers
- 2012: Mary Ann Grossmann, book reviewer for St. Paul Pioneer Press and friend of Midwestern publishers and authors
- 2013: Loris and Marlin Bree, charter members of MiPA, first chair of Midwest Book Awards, and passionate advocates for independent publishing
- 2014: Patricia Rouner Morris, past president of MiPA, author, professional editor, and publishing consultant
- 2015: Don Leeper, founder of Bookmobile and Itasca Books
- 2016: Norton Stillman, founder of Micawber’s Bookstore and owner of Nodin Press
- 2017: David Unowsky, founder of Hungry Mind Bookstore (later Ruminator,) and Hungry Mind Press
The Gala for the 30th Annual Midwest Book Awards will be held Saturday, June 27, 2020 at Delta Hotels by Marriott Minneapolis Northeast (1330 Industrial Blvd NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413). Please check back for more event details and ticket information